Hundley, Jack, Kendricks named to early watch lists

I know you've all been waiting eagerly in anticipation for this moment of the summer, but the mostly meaningless preseason college football watch lists have finally arrived!

Light sarcasm aside, UCLA should be represented quite often in the upcoming two weeks, as the NCFAA rolls out their lists one at a time, with fall training camps only a month away.

On Monday, quarterback Brett Hundley was named to the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award, given to college football's best offensive player. Hundley should be on the cusp of that rarefied air throughout this season, so his inclusion certainly makes sense. But keep in mind: 75 other players were listed. And that list included Cal's Jared Goff and USC's Cody Kessler.

Linebackers Myles Jack and Eric Kendricks were also honored with one of 76 spots on the watch list for the Bednarik Award, given to the nation's best defensive player. Both are primed to have huge seasons in 2014 and seem like natural fits on the list. But again, this is preseason, and there are 74 other players listed.

As I've already acknowledged, watch lists are mostly meaningless. There's a ton of time for things to change -- perhaps, say, Owa Odighizuwa's name being added to the list? -- and UCLA has plenty of time to get more names into the fold.

But they do mean that college football is rapidly approaching. And we can all be thankful for that.

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